The world experienced its second-hottest May ever recorded, according to data from European climate researchers, underscoring the continuing rise in global temperatures. Average temperatures across both land and oceans remained exceptionally high, making May one of the warmest months in modern history. Scientists observed unusually warm conditions across large parts of Europe, Asia, and the oceans, with several countries experiencing early-season heatwaves and temperature records. The findings add to a growing body of evidence showing that the Earth’s climate continues to warm as greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reach record levels.
Researchers say the impacts of this sustained warming are becoming increasingly visible. Higher temperatures are intensifying heatwaves, increasing evaporation from soils and reservoirs, and creating conditions that can worsen droughts and wildfires. At the same time, warmer oceans provide additional energy for storms and contribute to heavier rainfall events in some regions. Climate experts warn that these near-record temperatures are not isolated events but part of a long-term trend that is accelerating glacier melt, raising sea levels, disrupting ecosystems, and threatening food and water security. The latest data suggest that without significant reductions in global emissions, extreme weather events are likely to become even more frequent and severe in the decades ahead. More